Get all the latest Nationals news from MLB.com's Bill Ladson.

Twitter Poll: Should Strasburg, Storen be in Majors?

I asked a question to my Twitter followers on Sunday morning: If you were in Mike Rizzo’s shoes, would you promote Nats right-handers Stephen Strasburg and Drew Storen to the Major Leagues now or later? Why?

Of the 50 people who responded, 25 of them said bring them up to the big leagues, while the rest believe there isn’t a need to rush the prospects. Here is what some of the Twitter followers had to say.

@rickyh17: I would not promote them yet. Let them get in some more experience at Triple A first.

@Sultan_of_Stat: Bring up Strasburg now if John Lannan is to miss more games, otherwise wait. Bring up Storen now to take some pressure off Tyler Clippard.

@SacksJacked: I’m for Stras now. If he’s ready, he’s ready. Don’t worry about the financial stuff. It seems to be more noise than it really is.

@wynams: The season is long. The Nats are doing well now. Rushing players too fast could be devastating.

@LarryTheSequel: I’d do it now. Both are performing well at Triple-A and they may as well get their MLB bumps and bruises sooner than later.

@Natss9: I would bring them up for the Reds series in June. The Nats have gone this far. I don’t see why they should deviate from the plan.

@JoeBHokie: Wait. The pitching is good now. Jordan Zimmermann, Chien-Ming Wang and Jason Marquis are in the wings. The kids need low stress innings and Nats get an extra contract year.

@rfish15: Bring up Storen now, if Brian Bruney doesn’t come around. Strasburg can wait until June. Less pressure on SS waiting. See where the team is then.

@SodaPop6548: They are both doing well, but still need some experience. Don’t rush them into the Majors!

@DArkMEATHOOK: I’d promote both after two or more Triple-A appearances. Seem like both can help out the ballclub.

@Michaeljenk: Strasburg for sure and not just because of his potential. His performance in the Minors shows that he’s ready.

@NotRizzo: I would hold Storen back till June to ensure he isn’t a Super 2, since he can pitch all the way to October without an innings limit.

@Terpsrule: Storen yes, because he’s had a year in the system. Strasburg, not net. A few more games in Syracuse, then come on down Stephen!

@nat_meg: Stras, no. Starting pitching has been pretty solid.

@Dwade: This team isn’t quite there yet. The playoffs aren’t in the cards this year, so why start their service clocks?

@Jake_Titleman39: Wait until June. We save money and we hope were still in the playoff race so those guys become even more important.

@jcj5y: They need Storen more right now. I would be sorely tempted. No on Strasburg until June.

What are we going to do with all of the good pitchers we have now? Only ones possibly to replace (in order) are Bruney, Walker, Burnett and Batista. They’ll all relief pitchers. So, other than Stammen, who would they want to put in the bullpen…Atilano? I know they’d like to put Stammen in the bullpen, although I think he’s a pretty doggone goodo pitcher, but who else. Then, we have Chico, Rosenbaum and Martin in the minors right now. When the time comes, it won’t be Wang, Marquis, Zimmermann or Lannan who replace the four relievers above.

I assume Strasberg is on a season inning limit of 170 to 180 innings, and he should be. Nothing in college baseball prepared him for a season like this. If he is brought up sooner rather than later and gets a spot in the rotation, he will hit this limit in August. Will the fans want to see him shut down in August, especially if the team is winning? Better he should be brought along in AA and AAA ball now, and fit into the rotation in June-July. Then they can stick to their plan and he can play all year.

I assume Strasberg is on a season inning limit of 170 to 180 innings, and he should be. Nothing in college baseball prepared him for a season like this. If he is brought up sooner rather than later and gets a spot in the rotation, he will hit this limit in August. Will the fans want to see him shut down in August, especially if the team is winning? Better he should be brought along in AA and AAA ball now, and fit into the rotation in June-July. Then they can stick to their plan and he can play all year.

I say stick with the plan. A month more in the minors will build confidence and allow for the coaching staff to have them a little longer before it really counts in the Majors. BTW Clippard and Capps are playing great!

Meta

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.